Efe Ambrose

Currently playing for Nigeria at home to South Africa, if they win they have qualified for the ACON if they dont they might not depending on if Congo beat Sudan. Nigeria need to match Congo's result to qualify so if they both draw or if Nigeria win.

Wakaso's 2 goals up with Ghana aslong as they dont concede 3 in the last 15 minutes they are also qualifying.

 

Theyre getting beat now and as it stands at HT wont be qualifying. They either need to equalise or hope Sudan beat Congo.

 

Hope they qualify so we can get rid of him for a few weeks

 

I wouldn't. Firstly I think he is a decent player if not at the level of Van Dijk or Denayer. But lets remember we will do well to keep Van Dijk next summer. While Denayer is only on a year loan and no way will we be able to afford to buy him. But even if Van Dijk stayed and say we got Denayer on another year loan I would still want Ambrose as cover. Given the number of games we play you need at least 4 senior experienced center backs in your squad.

 

Thank * they didn't qualify. Efe could do with a break for about 6 months.

 

Well feckin said Sean it wasn't that long ago, that big Efe was one of star players, nobody can say at one point they never rated him. The big man's loyal to us, he runs his heart out for us. Ok, he's been far from his best for us, for a wee while now, but let the guy have a rest, let him re-charge his batteries, he will come good again

 

I think he's *. Played far too many awful games for celtic.

 

I would much rather see us bring in someone else. If we lose both Denayer & Van Dijk in the summer, then putting Ambrose in would be a backwards step. He is not at the same level as either of them in my opinion. We should always be looking at how we can improve the team, not weaken it, and if Ambrose replaces Denayer or Van Dijk come next season, then we are weakening the team.

 

I still like him, but agree he should not be in the team.

I still think he'd be a better option in midfield than Mulgrew, offers more pace and power and he is good on the ball, although yes his passing can be ropey.


FD

 

I agree with you I do not think Ambrose is as good a player as Van Dijk and Denayer. But given there is a strong chance neither will be at Celtic Park next season if we sell Ambrose as well then we will be needing to find 3 center backs next summer. Thats a lot to try and find.
In terms of this January I certainly would not sell him as I think he is a very good back up to have and as I mentioned before given the number of games we play we need to have at least 4 senior center backs in our squad.

 

I would be looking to offload him in January and bring in someone with the view to them being a regular next season. For me, Charlie Mulgrew is better cover at centre half than Ambrose is.

 

I'm wondering if he'll look better because he's had his first break since he got here. At one point he did look a player, he was a beast next to Wilson in the group stages of the 2012-2013 season.

 

I actually think our whole defence looked better because of how we defended as a unit in the Group Stages that year. There was a period where I did like Ambrose to be fair, but now, I would happily see him offloaded.

 

I agree on both counts mate, the influence of Wanyama can't be overlooked. Even looking at his stats though... he made a lot of tackles, interceptions, clearances, headers etc. he was a shadow of that after the Juventus games and he's never really shook that off.

Even before that at his best he had very dodgy moments though. I wouldn't mind if he got offloaded, I wouldn't mind if he stays as a back up.

Just please * never play him at right back ever again.

 

Aye, we are both I the same camp here. I actually blame Lennon for the Juventus debacle with Ambrose, I've said that all along, but you are right, he hasn't ever really got back to how he was prior to that. There is too many mistakes in his game for me.

Agree regarding right back, I can't take any more of that.

 

I appreciate what he's done for us in the past, put in some superb shifts. But I just canny go him anymore, he is a total bombscare.

 

I think people expecting us to replace Denayer and Virgil with similar quality are very, very optimistic. I'm happy for Ambrose to step back into the first team next season, I think he is (when not exhausted) good enough.

Of course I'd be as thrilled as the next person in the unlikely event we kept Virgil and Denayer or replaced them with similar quality. Can't see it, though.

I'd have loved to see this back 4 with Wanyama just in front of them.

 

I'd prefer

Agathe Balde Van Dijk Izzaguire/Jackie Mac
.....................Wanyama.......................

 

Why not go the whole hog and just bring back McGrain and Cesar? :smiley-laughing002: